What, no Funky Kingston thread?

http://www.undergroundhiphop.com/store/covers_original/GET54056LP.jpg
I’ve been thinking about this album a lot because it recently struck me that, although I first bought it in high school, I haven’t stopped listening to it on a regular basis for more than 30 years now. It brings me the same amount of joy now than it did then, and I’m always in the mood to crank it. I don’t think I can say that about any other album in my collection, which makes me wonder: Is this my favorite album ever? Does anyone else share the same love?
BTW I’m talking about the 1975 U.S. comp, and not the 1972 U.K. release with the same title. Track list:
1. ”Time Tough"
2. ”In the Dark"
3. ”Funky Kingston"
4. ”Love is Gonna Let Me Down"
5. ”Louie, Louie"
6. ”Pomp and Pride"
7. ”Got to Be There"
8. ”Country Road"
9. ”Pressure Drop”
10. ”Sailin' On"

keep meaning to see him, he tours somewhat often. anybody think he's worth seeing these days?

I have this Toots "Reggae Greats" CD with about 4 tracks from this album on it.....and theyre the best tracks! He has one of my favourite voices ever

Awesome album. agree that it seems to slip through official cracks of classics lists

I just bought this album (in the CD twofer w/In The Dark) last week. Love It!

I'm still baffled that Xgau gave this an A-, which is insulting.

First record by him/them I got, and the only one I still have....I thought I was gonna be a huge reggae fan, but really it just turned out I loved this record! It doesn't feel like a greatest hits to me; it feels like an album album. I agree with you 100%, Jazzbo. If we were polling it, I might just go for "Sailin' On"--objectively one of the minor ones, but it just knocks me out.

Love this album. Love his "Louie, Louie," used to good effect (iirc) in "Blood Simple."

Swag OTM on the greatest hits things. I didn't even know it was a comp until many years later. And I have fond memories of singing along to "Sailin' On" with my college roommate in our dorm one night.

The fact this is a comp makes me wonder why a few more great Maytals songs weren't included — "Sweet and Dandy," "54-46," "Monkey Man," "Bla Bla Bla," etc. I'm guessing this was intended as an intro into the U.S. market in the wake of "The Harder they Come" movie.

I should go deeper with the Maytalls. I like all the songs of theirs that I know, and 'Funky Kingston' itself is amazing.

Not big on reggae but this is probably my favorite album in that genre - title track is outstanding

I have my dad's copy of the 1975 version, and years back I actually thought it looked pretty boring and almost put it up for sale, but figured I should give it a quick spin - it's been in rotation since

This always struck me as much of an R&B/soul album as reggae, which is probably why its appeal is so universal. And Toots is one of my favorite singers ever, in any genre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRSwjhYmAY4

Kills it here, of more recent, novelty vintage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChHRkfo2Gss

xp good point! And "Pressure Drop" is ofc excellent too.

digging this soulful one from 1980

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lCDcE-JPIA

that's a great song

feeling the love itt

Country Roads is probably my fave on here

my parents cracked up the first time they heard that, i had forgotten that it was basically a novelty song

omg soul coughing "down to this" sample